ADR Changers - We still don't know what we want for dinner!

[stitch34]

That's what I was thinking. We've always had great character interaction at H&V, plus with the new characters, and that DD is getting so grown up. Okay, she's 4.5, but I can't believe she'll be going to school in the fall. I showed DD an episode of "Jake...Pirates" a week ago so she'd be familiar since he is all over Disney Junior at DHS. Well, now she is obsessed. She asks to watch it every day!

And the ADR is confirmed.

"all grown up" at 4.5.. too cute! Glad you got the ADR.

I couldn't fit it in this trip at all... but my daughter said noooo, it's a MUST do for her. Okay, so how about lunch I said then? only way I could fit it in. I know food won't be too good at lunch.. but eh, it's lunch, and will end up being a light lunch for us.

Back to the "all grown up" - my daughter who so wants to eat there... is um, NINE! She likes Oso - guess he's technically a panda or sorts, and she is crazy for anything panda-related.... And oh, no, she needs to see Oso again. Her twin brother (also 9, of course) I know wants to see Handy Manny (he's autistic, and still about ALL characters)
Jake will be cute to see - saw him at EMH dance party - oh, so cute! My daughter also likes June - is she still there?
I do miss Goliath - don't miss JoJo - but Goliath was just the CUTEST!!

Also just squeezed in 1900 Park Fare for dinner and Mama Melrose for dinner - two meals we said nope, we are tired of doing them and eating the lousy food. Again, same daughter insisted we do them - guess it's like a tradition for us, gotta keep with tradition!

Only things I am missing that would like to have fit into schedule are TRex, ESPN Club, Kona Cafe and WCC (lunch) - already doing dinner, and Akershus breakfast -will save that one for next trip probably.
but nope, am done. unless were able to add on more days to this trip, which i can't, then really is no more playing around with ADRs for me. Surely, I lie... and will find something to switch around or add or ditch!

 

[amandaw]

"all grown up" at 4.5.. too cute! Glad you got the ADR.

I couldn't fit it in this trip at all... but my daughter said noooo, it's a MUST do for her. Okay, so how about lunch I said then? only way I could fit it in. I know food won't be too good at lunch.. but eh, it's lunch, and will end up being a light lunch for us.

Back to the "all grown up" - my daughter who so wants to eat there... is um, NINE! She likes Oso - guess he's technically a panda or sorts, and she is crazy for anything panda-related.... And oh, no, she needs to see Oso again. Her twin brother (also 9, of course) I know wants to see Handy Manny (he's autistic, and still about ALL characters)
Jake will be cute to see - saw him at EMH dance party - oh, so cute! My daughter also likes June - is she still there?
I do miss Goliath - don't miss JoJo - but Goliath was just the CUTEST!!

Also just squeezed in 1900 Park Fare for dinner and Mama Melrose for dinner - two meals we said nope, we are tired of doing them and eating the lousy food. Again, same daughter insisted we do them - guess it's like a tradition for us, gotta keep with tradition!

Only things I am missing that would like to have fit into schedule are TRex, ESPN Club, Kona Cafe and WCC (lunch) - already doing dinner, and Akershus breakfast -will save that one for next trip probably.
but nope, am done. unless were able to add on more days to this trip, which i can't, then really is no more playing around with ADRs for me. Surely, I lie... and will find something to switch around or add or ditch!

That's so fun that your kids are still liking the character meals! And that they have their "must-do" restaurants.

That's great that you were able to add the ADRs that your daughter wanted!

Now, how long until the next change?

 

[princessbride6205]

P.S. Look how far my ticker has come....

So exciting!!

"all grown up" at 4.5.. too cute! Glad you got the ADR.

I couldn't fit it in this trip at all... but my daughter said noooo, it's a MUST do for her. Okay, so how about lunch I said then? only way I could fit it in. I know food won't be too good at lunch.. but eh, it's lunch, and will end up being a light lunch for us.

Back to the "all grown up" - my daughter who so wants to eat there... is um, NINE! She likes Oso - guess he's technically a panda or sorts, and she is crazy for anything panda-related.... And oh, no, she needs to see Oso again. Her twin brother (also 9, of course) I know wants to see Handy Manny (he's autistic, and still about ALL characters)
Jake will be cute to see - saw him at EMH dance party - oh, so cute! My daughter also likes June - is she still there?
I do miss Goliath - don't miss JoJo - but Goliath was just the CUTEST!!

Also just squeezed in 1900 Park Fare for dinner and Mama Melrose for dinner - two meals we said nope, we are tired of doing them and eating the lousy food. Again, same daughter insisted we do them - guess it's like a tradition for us, gotta keep with tradition!

Only things I am missing that would like to have fit into schedule are TRex, ESPN Club, Kona Cafe and WCC (lunch) - already doing dinner, and Akershus breakfast -will save that one for next trip probably.
but nope, am done. unless were able to add on more days to this trip, which i can't, then really is no more playing around with ADRs for me. Surely, I lie... and will find something to switch around or add or ditch!

Wow, so maybe we'll still be eating at H&V 5 years from now!
We've never tried WCC - one of these trips! Hope you can squeeze in a few more of your must-dos.

Amanda - I'm so nervous about school next year. We went through 4 different home daycares by the time DD was 3, until we finally ended up at the awesome preschool where she's been for a bit over a year. DD is extremely sensitive (both emotionally and physically) but also quite bright, so I'm really nervous about the right school/teacher for her. We have some school choice here - if you can find a space in another district you can open enroll, and we also have a number of charter schools. So I'm happy to have some options but also paranoid about picking the wrong one!

 

[amandaw]

Amanda - I'm so nervous about school next year. We went through 4 different home daycares by the time DD was 3, until we finally ended up at the awesome preschool where she's been for a bit over a year. DD is extremely sensitive (both emotionally and physically) but also quite bright, so I'm really nervous about the right school/teacher for her. We have some school choice here - if you can find a space in another district you can open enroll, and we also have a number of charter schools. So I'm happy to have some options but also paranoid about picking the wrong one!

I know exactly how you feel! I love my son's day school that he is at right now & have decided to keep him there next year. But when it comes to "big" school, I get freaked out! We looked into private school. We would've had to change a lot in our lives to go that route. Don't get me wrong, we were willing to do it but (after much research) felt it wasn't worth it (no offense to anyone who sends their kid(s) to private school). We had moved to the city we currently reside in last June. We decided to rent instead of buying right away so we could research public school districts. We've done our research & are currently building a house in one of the (hopefully) better districts in the city. But, I still stress about it! We had narrowed it down to 3 districts. I constantly find myself wondering if we chose the right district to move into. We also have "school of choice" here. But, not all schools are a "choice" school & it is a complete lottery system. I am, however, considering it. One of the schools is a French Immersion school - everything is taught in French. It's actually the elementary school I went to, although we didn't have that back then. We only started French in 5th grade. It's so hard to make a decision! I have really thought about homeschooling my son because of all of my school worries. But, my DH is really against it. So, I don't know....

 

[princessbride6205]

I know exactly how you feel! I love my son's day school that he is at right now & have decided to keep him there next year. But when it comes to "big" school, I get freaked out! We looked into private school. We would've had to change a lot in our lives to go that route. Don't get me wrong, we were willing to do it but (after much research) felt it wasn't worth it (no offense to anyone who sends their kid(s) to private school). We had moved to the city we currently reside in last June. We decided to rent instead of buying right away so we could research public school districts. We've done our research & are currently building a house in one of the (hopefully) better districts in the city. But, I still stress about it! We had narrowed it down to 3 districts. I constantly find myself wondering if we chose the right district to move into. We also have "school of choice" here. But, not all schools are a "choice" school & it is a complete lottery system. I am, however, considering it. One of the schools is a French Immersion school - everything is taught in French. It's actually the elementary school I went to, although we didn't have that back then. We only started French in 5th grade. It's so hard to make a decision! I have really thought about homeschooling my son because of all of my school worries. But, my DH is really against it. So, I don't know....

Thanks for commiserating with me and sharing my paranoia! One of the schools that we are considering for DD is French immersion. I speak a bit of French and I fell in love with the school when I toured. The cons are that it's not in a great neighborhood and it's the school's first year, so you never know exactly how things will continue.
Do we also need a school changers thread?

 

[amandaw]

Thanks for commiserating with me and sharing my paranoia! One of the schools that we are considering for DD is French immersion. I speak a bit of French and I fell in love with the school when I toured. The cons are that it's not in a great neighborhood and it's the school's first year, so you never know exactly how things will continue.
Do we also need a school changers thread?

Not a problem at all....I'm just happy to know I'm not alone!

I have taken a lot of French in my life. However, I understand it better than I speak it. My DH has never taken a day of French, he took Spanish. I told him that if we're going to do the French Immersion school, I really want to brush up on my French and that he needs to do Rosetta Stone or something so that he'll understand our son! You'll have to let me know if y'all go the way of French Immersion how it works out.

 

[sjs314]

On this date, just 22 days out from our vacation, I do declare I am done, finished with my ADR changes for the trip! Really you say ? Well unless I can snag a 15 min earlier ADR for Cape May

 

[princessbride6205]

Not a problem at all....I'm just happy to know I'm not alone!

I have taken a lot of French in my life. However, I understand it better than I speak it. My DH has never taken a day of French, he took Spanish. I told him that if we're going to do the French Immersion school, I really want to brush up on my French and that he needs to do Rosetta Stone or something so that he'll understand our son! You'll have to let me know if y'all go the way of French Immersion how it works out.

Part of the school tour was a sample immersion lesson - about 30 minutes. It's been 8 years since my last college French class, but I understood all of it. I know it was for children, so that's not saying much. But I can still read it very well and understand it spoken okay. The other thing I've done to improve my French is find all the DVDs in my house that have a French language track. You can watch your favorite movies and improve your French at the same time!

On this date, just 22 days out from our vacation, I do declare I am done, finished with my ADR changes for the trip! Really you say ? Well unless I can snag a 15 min earlier ADR for Cape May

Ha! We're in the same boat! I have a few that I'm kind of wondering about the time...

 

[amandaw]

On this date, just 22 days out from our vacation, I do declare I am done, finished with my ADR changes for the trip! Really you say ? Well unless I can snag a 15 min earlier ADR for Cape May

There's always that 1 last change looming, isn't there? I know for us it seems like there's always that 1 last ADR or ADR time that I'm looking for up until we leave.

Part of the school tour was a sample immersion lesson - about 30 minutes. It's been 8 years since my last college French class, but I understood all of it. I know it was for children, so that's not saying much. But I can still read it very well and understand it spoken okay. The other thing I've done to improve my French is find all the DVDs in my house that have a French language track. You can watch your favorite movies and improve your French at the same time!

I'm thinking next school year (while my DS is in preK4) I'll do a tour of the public school in our district as well as the French Immersion school. And then I'll make a decision.

I like your idea of watching movies in French. I love any excuse to watch movies!

 

[sjs314]

There's always that 1 last change looming, isn't there? I know for us it seems like there's always that 1 last ADR or ADR time that I'm looking for up until we leave.



I'm thinking next school year (while my DS is in preK4) I'll do a tour of the public school in our district as well as the French Immersion school. And then I'll make a decision.

I like your idea of watching movies in French. I love any excuse to watch movies!

I happened to check one last time and lo and behold there was a 7:25pm, I had 7:45 so yep I changed my ADR one last time I am hopeing that we will get seated and finish in time so that as we are going back to the BW we will catch IllumiNations on the bridge. I watched a video on utube and the view from the bridge is not bad at all and that would make for a nice ending to our first day I think.

I have never had dinner at Cape May and not sure how long to expect to wait to be seated, but looking at the ADR times available it seems they are heavily booked between 6 and 7:30 so it would seem there might be a bit of a wait.

 

[chinarider]

Still debating on one dinner. Right now I have us at Chefs at 5 (we are only going to be having B & C ice cream for very early lunch)- thinking perhaps of changing to Biergarten or even perhaps Tutto????? Dont want to make the wrong choice. A bad dinner with a DD17 and just mom can sure ruin the day!!!. Doesnt help that the new Tutto menu isnt out so, I'm not even sure what they will be serving. Via Napoli seems good but, not would prefer not to use the TS on it. Chefs doesnt seem to have gotten the best reviews lately but, I know it's a good bang for the buck on the dining plan. What's a girl to do??????

 

[amandaw]

I happened to check one last time and lo and behold there was a 7:25pm, I had 7:45 so yep I changed my ADR one last time I am hopeing that we will get seated and finish in time so that as we are going back to the BW we will catch IllumiNations on the bridge. I watched a video on utube and the view from the bridge is not bad at all and that would make for a nice ending to our first day I think.

I have never had dinner at Cape May and not sure how long to expect to wait to be seated, but looking at the ADR times available it seems they are heavily booked between 6 and 7:30 so it would seem there might be a bit of a wait.

Yay! you were able to get an earlier ADR for Cape May! I hope y'all don't have to wait too long to be seated. It's a buffet, right? That should help with time. Even if you have to wait some to be seated, at least you don't have to wait to order & then for the food to come out.

I think watching the fireworks from the bridge sounds like a perfect ending to a 1st day! Will you be doing a trip report when you return? If not, I'd still love to hear what you think of BW!

Still debating on one dinner. Right now I have us at Chefs at 5 (we are only going to be having B & C ice cream for very early lunch)- thinking perhaps of changing to Biergarten or even perhaps Tutto????? Dont want to make the wrong choice. A bad dinner with a DD17 and just mom can sure ruin the day!!!. Doesnt help that the new Tutto menu isnt out so, I'm not even sure what they will be serving. Via Napoli seems good but, not would prefer not to use the TS on it. Chefs doesnt seem to have gotten the best reviews lately but, I know it's a good bang for the buck on the dining plan. What's a girl to do??????

Hmmmm.....decisions, decisions.

I, personally, don't care for Biergarten. So, I would be biased in telling you not to go there. There does seem to be a lot of people who enjoy it. I'm just not in their club.

Tutto...I've never eaten there so I can't really give an opinion. Though, like you stated, it makes it hard to choose with not knowing what the menu will be when they re-open.

Chefs...I seem to keep seeing people saying good things about it. But again, I haven't eaten there yet. My friend, Jana, who has posted on this thread will be in Disney at the end of next week & they are going there. I'll ask her to post a little review of it here, if that would help.

Has your DD stated any kind of preference for an Epcot meal? Or is there any that she definitely doesn't want?

 

[jaman12]

It's now 5 days out from the long awaited trip (ok, so we just booked in Nov so it hasn't been a terribly long wait but don't hate!) but I am thinking of changing one ADR. But fear not! It's not Les Chefs.

First full day is at MK. We currently have LTT at 7:10. That means not finishing up until well after 8 and then having to catch a bus to CBR and we have a breakfast ADR the next morning at AK.

Thinking about swapping to a 6:20 at Kona. Will boat or monorail (wanted to experience one or the other on the trip anyway) to Poly and then head back to the resort after. I know this is something I was wanting to avoid a month ago but I am wondering if would be best for my family. Mac is concerned with the kids and their tiredness later in the day. I am too. I want to squeeze as much in at MK as we can but I don't want to push my kids and make them miserable. I need to be realistic in my expectations.

Between the day before and that day we will be at MK for prob about 12 hours. I could stay there twice that long and not get everything done. So I need to do what's best for all of us. Mac has been pretty much laid back in the planning. I can't help but feel that I need to honor this request of getting back at a more decent time. 45 min to an hour can make a difference when you are dealing with tired, whiney kids.

Decisions, decisions.....need to make up my mind today...before the ADR goes away. What time should I need to leave MK to get there?

 

[chinarider]

It's now 5 days out from the long awaited trip (ok, so we just booked in Nov so it hasn't been a terribly long wait but don't hate!) but I am thinking of changing one ADR. But fear not! It's not Les Chefs.

First full day is at MK. We currently have LTT at 7:10. That means not finishing up until well after 8 and then having to catch a bus to CBR and we have a breakfast ADR the next morning at AK.

Thinking about swapping to a 6:20 at Kona. Will boat or monorail (wanted to experience one or the other on the trip anyway) to Poly and then head back to the resort after. I know this is something I was wanting to avoid a month ago but I am wondering if would be best for my family. Mac is concerned with the kids and their tiredness later in the day. I am too. I want to squeeze as much in at MK as we can but I don't want to push my kids and make them miserable. I need to be realistic in my expectations.

Between the day before and that day we will be at MK for prob about 12 hours. I could stay there twice that long and not get everything done. So I need to do what's best for all of us. Mac has been pretty much laid back in the planning. I can't help but feel that I need to honor this request of getting back at a more decent time. 45 min to an hour can make a difference when you are dealing with tired, whiney kids.

Decisions, decisions.....need to make up my mind today...before the ADR goes away. What time should I need to leave MK to get there?

So excited for you that your trip is so soon. Would a afternoon break for lunch (still hit Kona , relaxing boat ride) be good enough down time to lengthen the MK day? Been so long since I traveled with young one(s) and I think it also depends on the children. Also, do you need to do a sit down restuarant?? If you went with buffet would it be quicker and give you a little more time flexibility?

 

[chinarider]

Chefs...I seem to keep seeing people saying good things about it. But again, I haven't eaten there yet. My friend, Jana, who has posted on this thread will be in Disney at the end of next week & they are going there. I'll ask her to post a little review of it here, if that would help.

Has your DD stated any kind of preference for an Epcot meal? Or is there any that she definitely doesn't want?[/QUOTE]

Looking forward to Jana's report when she comes back. I really wish they would post Tutto's new proposed menu ( just to give us an idea ).
My DD is fed up with me and my now addiction to Disboards, planning and such. She basically says she doesn't care and it's up to me. She's afraid our trip will be built around food and where we have to be to eat when. That is one reason why I didnt want to do deluxe ( plus it just seems like way too much food -and we wouldnt do signatures) The day in question wasn't even going to be an Epcot day but we figured we would hit HS for EMH, and make it to B&C hopefully around opening for ice cream for early lunch. Figured we would hang at the boardwalk , go to Epcot for a little, grab an early dinner and then hit DTD ( want to go on the balloon ride thing when it is dark). We are going to be at Epcot the night before for EMH with a 740 ressie at R & C (hopefully sit outside for illuminations) and then back to Epcot 3 days later for EMH opening and early lunch at Le Cellier. I was even thinking of PH in DTD ( didnt want to do HOB because have not hear good things since menu change) We really can go anywhere the day in question to eat but, I want to try to maximize the benefits of the dining plan while trying something new. Dont' really need character meals ( doing CP breakfast before park on first day), DD is 17 and we are going straight from the world to the Fantasy so, we will have plenty of character time and good food as well.

 

[amandaw]

It's now 5 days out from the long awaited trip (ok, so we just booked in Nov so it hasn't been a terribly long wait but don't hate!) but I am thinking of changing one ADR. But fear not! It's not Les Chefs.

First full day is at MK. We currently have LTT at 7:10. That means not finishing up until well after 8 and then having to catch a bus to CBR and we have a breakfast ADR the next morning at AK.

Thinking about swapping to a 6:20 at Kona. Will boat or monorail (wanted to experience one or the other on the trip anyway) to Poly and then head back to the resort after. I know this is something I was wanting to avoid a month ago but I am wondering if would be best for my family. Mac is concerned with the kids and their tiredness later in the day. I am too. I want to squeeze as much in at MK as we can but I don't want to push my kids and make them miserable. I need to be realistic in my expectations.

Between the day before and that day we will be at MK for prob about 12 hours. I could stay there twice that long and not get everything done. So I need to do what's best for all of us. Mac has been pretty much laid back in the planning. I can't help but feel that I need to honor this request of getting back at a more decent time. 45 min to an hour can make a difference when you are dealing with tired, whiney kids.

Decisions, decisions.....need to make up my mind today...before the ADR goes away. What time should I need to leave MK to get there?

Uh huh....no more laughing at me & all my changes! I think either ADR (LTT or Kona) could work. What time do y'all normally eat dinner? Remember that eating dinner at 7:10 will still feel like 6:10 to y'all. But, if Mac is really wanting Kona, then I'd go with it. It reminds me of our May trip....Ed didn't care about anything we did. But, one day he requested I change Via Napoli to Rose & Crown. Since it was the only thing he requested....I obliged. Kona will be very easy for y'all to get to from MK. Let me know what you decide!

Looking forward to Jana's report when she comes back. I really wish they would post Tutto's new proposed menu ( just to give us an idea ).
My DD is fed up with me and my now addiction to Disboards, planning and such. She basically says she doesn't care and it's up to me. She's afraid our trip will be built around food and where we have to be to eat when. That is one reason why I didnt want to do deluxe ( plus it just seems like way too much food -and we wouldnt do signatures) The day in question wasn't even going to be an Epcot day but we figured we would hit HS for EMH, and make it to B&C hopefully around opening for ice cream for early lunch. Figured we would hang at the boardwalk , go to Epcot for a little, grab an early dinner and then hit DTD ( want to go on the balloon ride thing when it is dark). We are going to be at Epcot the night before for EMH with a 740 ressie at R & C (hopefully sit outside for illuminations) and then back to Epcot 3 days later for EMH opening and early lunch at Le Cellier. I was even thinking of PH in DTD ( didnt want to do HOB because have not hear good things since menu change) We really can go anywhere the day in question to eat but, I want to try to maximize the benefits of the dining plan while trying something new. Dont' really need character meals ( doing CP breakfast before park on first day), DD is 17 and we are going straight from the world to the Fantasy so, we will have plenty of character time and good food as well.

Ok, I'm going to throw 1 other suggestion out there (I know, I'm not helping ) - what about Kouzzina? I've heard sooo many good things about it. Y'all could go to Epcot for a bit, go to dinner & then head to DTD.

What I would do is maybe pick your top 2 restaurants (that way it's not too many choices). Ask DD to look at the menus & pick her fave. If she starts to complain, tell her you just want her to enjoy the trip, too.

I don't know if I realized that y'all were going on the Fantasy afterwards. We are thinking of doing the Thanksgiving cruise on it in 2013. We've done the Dream & loved it!

 

[chinarider]

Ok, I'm going to throw 1 other suggestion out there (I know, I'm not helping ) - what about Kouzzina? I've heard sooo many good things about it. Y'all could go to Epcot for a bit, go to dinner & then head to DTD.

What I would do is maybe pick your top 2 restaurants (that way it's not too many choices). Ask DD to look at the menus & pick her fave. If she starts to complain, tell her you just want her to enjoy the trip, too.

I don't know if I realized that y'all were going on the Fantasy afterwards. We are thinking of doing the Thanksgiving cruise on it in 2013. We've done the Dream & loved it![/QUOTE]

Kouzzina didnt appeal to us but, thanks for the thought. Thinking too about Captains Grill,it seem to have gotten good reviews. Everytime I read reviews, I think about another place. We can also kind of see how things go since this would be day 4 of our trip. Dont think my daughter really cares to have much input now. Hard for her to think about what she would want to eat so far in advance.

How was the Dream??? We have been on the Wonder once and the Magic 3 times but, the last time we cruised will be 6 years ago this summer so my DD barely remembers it. I'm excited but, going back to the same ports (Western Caribbean) that we have already done twice. This will be the first time that I am doing the world before the cruise. Have done the world after the cruise but, always wished I had done it this way before ( seemed like it would be more relaxing).

 

[jaman12]

We are going to keep LTT. When we are in the area earlier in the day, I may see if they have something earlier (and will keep checking online too) or may just get there a little early and see if they will take us. No big deal.

 

[princessbride6205]

Still debating on one dinner. Right now I have us at Chefs at 5 (we are only going to be having B & C ice cream for very early lunch)- thinking perhaps of changing to Biergarten or even perhaps Tutto????? Dont want to make the wrong choice. A bad dinner with a DD17 and just mom can sure ruin the day!!!. Doesnt help that the new Tutto menu isnt out so, I'm not even sure what they will be serving. Via Napoli seems good but, not would prefer not to use the TS on it. Chefs doesnt seem to have gotten the best reviews lately but, I know it's a good bang for the buck on the dining plan. What's a girl to do??????

We enjoyed Chefs this past September for a 5pm dinner. It was our first visit. Food and service were good, but not stellar. I would be interested in trying it again, but it won't be at the top of our list for our very next trip. DH doesn't seem to remember it as fondly as I do. I can vouch for the soups - very yummy!
Sorry I haven't tried either of the others you mentioned.

We are going to keep LTT. When we are in the area earlier in the day, I may see if they have something earlier (and will keep checking online too) or may just get there a little early and see if they will take us. No big deal.

Glad you made your decision (for now).

Amanda - I finished reading your trip report. Very fun and wonderful photos! We have a great fancy camera and I know my way around the camera a bit, but I still struggle with getting good photos. I should probably take a real class. Also, I am deathly afraid of frogs, too!

 

[amandaw]

Kouzzina didnt appeal to us but, thanks for the thought. Thinking too about Captains Grill,it seem to have gotten good reviews. Everytime I read reviews, I think about another place. We can also kind of see how things go since this would be day 4 of our trip. Dont think my daughter really cares to have much input now. Hard for her to think about what she would want to eat so far in advance.

How was the Dream??? We have been on the Wonder once and the Magic 3 times but, the last time we cruised will be 6 years ago this summer so my DD barely remembers it. I'm excited but, going back to the same ports (Western Caribbean) that we have already done twice. This will be the first time that I am doing the world before the cruise. Have done the world after the cruise but, always wished I had done it this way before ( seemed like it would be more relaxing).

I've heard many good things about Captain's Grill as well. That would definitely be another good choice! If you don't want to be strapped down to an ADR, what about ESPN Club? I've heard good things about the food. I know, I'm still not helping by coming up with more suggestions.

We loved the Dream! In fact, my DH & I had only been on 1 other cruise & we had hated it (not Disney). He swore he would never get on a boat again. He agreed to try a Disney cruise if I booked a balcony & the least amount of nights. Since the Dream, all 3 of us have been talking about doing another Disney cruise. When the DCL commercials come on TV, my little boy will run into the room screaming "It's the Mickey boat!" He can hear that commercial music from anywhere! We did 4 days of parks before the Dream & I really liked doing it that way.

We are going to keep LTT. When we are in the area earlier in the day, I may see if they have something earlier (and will keep checking online too) or may just get there a little early and see if they will take us. No big deal.

I do think it's a good choice for y'all. And just keep watching for an earlier ADR, you never know! Besides, Mac still needs his Thanksgiving meal!

Amanda - I finished reading your trip report. Very fun and wonderful photos! We have a great fancy camera and I know my way around the camera a bit, but I still struggle with getting good photos. I should probably take a real class. Also, I am deathly afraid of frogs, too!

Thank you for reading & for the kind words about my report! I highly recommend taking a photography class. Before that trip, I took a one day session (like 2 hours) at a local camera store. It really helped me enough to understand how to get off of "Auto". Since then, I took a class at the local university. It was 5 classes & I learned so much more about shooting in the different modes. It really helped that we had assignments for each week to really get out & utilize what we were learning. I'm not anywhere close to being a professional, but I feel like I at least know where to start to get certain shots that I want.

I am so happy to hear that someone else has a frog phobia like me! People laugh at me about it, but they really can send me into a panic attack. I don't know why, but they freak me out!!! Ok, I must stop talking about them or I will have nightmares!